David Threlfall returns to Royal Exchange as Lear

David Threlfall as King Lear in the Royal Exchange's upcoming production

David Threlfall will return to Manchester's Royal Exchange this autumn for the first time in almost 30 years to play Shakespeare' magnificent King Lear - in a new production by Oldham-born master of intense drama, Matthew Dunster

The fifth production in the theatre’s 50th anniversary A Homecoming season will run from October 2-November 15.

David Threlfall returns to the Royal Exchange after 27 years to play Shakespeare’s most elemental and tragic figure, in a play that charts a kingdom in which power corrupts those most likely to inherit it; in which families become enemies, and prosperity devolves into war. 

David Threlfall

Isobel Akuwudike

Threlfall’s extensive credits include Shameless on Channel 4, for which he won an RTS television award for best actor; Hangmen (on Broadway, directed by Dunster) which earned him a Tony award nomination for best actor, and The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby (RSC/West End/Broadway) for which he won an Olivier for best supporting actor. He returns to the Manchester venue after starring there in previous productions of Present Laughter; Macbeth and Riddley Walker, among others.

Nadine Shah

Jonathan Slinger

Lisa Diveney

He is joined by Mercury Prize-nominated songwriter and performer Nadine Shah, who has appeared in Shakespeare at Shakespeare North Playhouse - as well as playing Lear's daughter Goneril on film.

Also in the cast are Lisa Diveney (Donkey Heart, West End) as Regan; Isobel Akuwudike as Cordelia; Jonathan Slinger (As You Like It and Dreaming at the Exchange (who returns to the Royal Exchange to play Gloucester); Nicholas Karimi, Tom Varey, Paddy Stafford and Jason Done.

More info and tickets here